Story Highlights

Sam Jenkins said he will not allow his campaign to be derailed by political insiders seeking to force him out of the mayoral race by leaking details about his personal finances.

"There have been too many hardworking people that have asked me to stay in this race," Jenkins said. "I will not succumb to pressure by political power brokers who are not supporting my campaign but chose to feed the media with my personal information."

Jenkins held a news conference Friday afternoon to address his past and present financial status. The mayoral candidate originally intended to speak and not take questions after his speech. He changed his mind when prompted for clarification by the media.

He admitted he and his wife encountered financial issues when they were younger and newly married. And Jenkins insisted reports on these financial issues were distorted. He said he doesn't have pending civil suits or judgments against him.

"My taxes have either been paid or they are the subjects of payment plans," he said. "It should be noted that each year I was a member of the Caddo Parish Commission I served as chairman of the ways and means committee. Each year since I've been on the city council I've served as chairman of the audit and finance committee. I have never mismanaged or put at risk any public funds."

Jenkins also addressed allegations about a worthless check that were brought against him.

"I have no criminal convictions," he said. According to Jenkins, he was a 22-year-old college student in Baton Rouge when the allegations were brought against him. The district attorney refused to the prosecute him, he said.

"This is a political season," Jenkins said. "The power mongers will stop at nothing to get their way and silence the voice of the people. My opponents know, that based on my record, I am a voice for the people and I'm sure they know that that is a major concern for some of them."

The candidate unofficially jumped into the 2014 mayoral race in earlier this year. He canceled a scheduled news conference to announce his candidacy in March admitting at the time that he needed to address back taxes and devote attention to the cases he handled as an attorney.

Supporters formed the "We Want Sam" political organization and set up a "We Want Sam" Facebook page to encourage him to get back in the race. He did just that on Aug. 15.

Jenkins said he will not run from his past, but he will not address his personal finances after Friday's conference.

"I've owned up to my responsibilities and faced my challenges just like many Shreveporters, who've gone on to live productive lives," he said. "Despite what many camps might be saying, I'm committed to my campaign to become the next mayor of Shreveport. This was a serious decision for me to enter this race."